Unnamed African billionaire on the verge of Sheffield United takeover 

An African billionaire is close to completing a £90 million takeover at Sheffield United, greatly easing a financial crisis at the Sky Bet Championship club that includes a default on payments due to Liverpool.

While the identity of the prospective new owner remains a closely guarded secret, sources have confirmed that a deal has almost been finalised.

The buyer is the subject of the EFL’s owners’ and directors’ test, but so far no problems have arisen.

Paul Heckingbottom’s side are pushing hard for promotion to the Premier League — they are 12 points clear of third-placed Middlesbrough, with a game in hand — so the takeover is considered essential.

At a time when Prince Abdullah, the club’s present Saudi owner, is close to selling the club, United have suddenly run into financial difficulties which have led to a transfer embargo that, unless they secure promotion, prevents them from buying a player for the next 18 months.

The embargo has been imposed by the EFL because of issues around certain transfer deals. There has been a failure to make at least one recent payment to Liverpool for Rhian Brewster, who moved from Anfield to Bramall Lane in October 2020 for £23.5 million.

It is also understood that there are issues regarding the Bosnian defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, who moved from Malmo for an undisclosed fee in July. Sources have said that United are trying to renegotiate the structure of the payments to the Swedish club.

The situation led to speculation that Heckingbottom may be forced to sell his best player, Sander Berge, to raise some much needed funds.

There were reports of a possible £20 million move to either Newcastle United or Fulham. But the fact that the 24-year-old Norway midfielder remains in Sheffield with the January transfer window having passed is a further indication that club officials believe they are about to receive a timely cash injection.

Heckingbottom is doing a remarkable job, and it is clear since succeeding Slavisa Jokanovic in November 2021 that he has galvanised a squad who are committed to playing for him.

They reached the Championship play-offs last season, losing to Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, and find themselves in a strong position this time around despite difficulties caused by a failure to pay their bills. “It’s a miracle they are doing so well when it looks like someone at the club has turned the tap off,” one source said.

Last year they believed that Henry Mauriss was close to buying the club, only for that deal to collapse because of the American’s failure to meet the strict EFL criteria.

However, the new bid that has been tabled by the African buyer is considered to be much more viable.